Domestic appliance for pets

ABSTRACT

A domestic appliance for use in homes, apartments, condominiums and the like to eliminate the need for taking a pet outside. The appliance serves to facilitate washing the pet, and also serves as a convenient toilet therefor. It comprises a small enclosure or housing with entrance and exit doors, the housing having a bottom wall sloped toward one area where a drain opening is arranged to remove liquid and solids from the low bottom wall area by means of a retractable flexible hose which is adapted to extend over the rim of a toilet flush bowl. Inside the housing there is disposed a series of water jets which are connected to one end of another hose, the other end of which has a fitting for attachment to a bathroom sink faucet. The appliance is so arranged that it can be used either as a pet bath, or as a pet waste disposal apparatus, in which latter case the inside of the housing can be sprayed clean by means of the water jets, and the pump actuated to remove the rinse water and solids, so as to dispose of the same into the flush bowl. The top of the housing additionally has a grill and doors which latter can be opened to permit the owner to observe the pet while it is inside.

[ Feb. 26, 1974 condominiums and the like to eliminate the need fortaking a pet outside. The appliance serves to facilitate washing thepet, and also serves as a convenient toilet therefor. It comprises asmall enclosure or housing with entrance and exit doors, the housinghaving a bottom wall sloped toward one area where a drain opening isarranged to remove liquid and solids from the low bottom wall area bymeans of a retractable 9/ 1 flexible hose which is adapted to extendover the rim Aolk 29/00 of a toilet flush bowl. Inside the housing thereis dis- 153 posed 'a series of water jets which are connected to one endof another hose, the other end of which has a fitting for attachment toa bathroom sink faucet. The

appliance is so arranged that it can be used either as a pet bath, or asa pet waste disposal apparatus, in

which latter case the inside of the housing can be Crosby U. Rogers, 355Silver Hill Rd., Easton, Conn. 06612 Filed: Feb. 5, 1973 Appl. No.:329,600

Field of References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS United States PatentRogers DOMESTIC APPLIANCE FOR PETS [76] Inventor:

sprayed clean by means of the water jets, and the Schaub pump actuatedto remove the rinse water and solids, so as to dispose of the same intothe flush bowl. The top of the housing additionally has a grill anddoors which latter can be opened to permit the owner to observe the petwhile it is inside.

I o e e m LWS 0 3 9 Primary Examiner-Hugh R. Chamblee Attorney, Agent,or Firm-H. Gibner Lehmann; K.

17 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures ABSTRACT A domestic appliance for use inhomes, apartments,

Gibner Lehmann DOMESTIC APPLIANCE FOR PETS BACKGROUND This inventionrelates generally to pet baths and waste disposals devices, and moreparticularly to portable units which can be readily employed indwellings, with existing bathroom facilities. In the past various petbaths and waste disposal devices for indoor use have been proposed andconstructed. Some waste disposal units have employed open tray-likestructures with catch basins, wherein a series of spray nozzles wasarranged to rinse the basin, following use. Others included an inlethose for connection with a faucet, while still others employed amodified flush-tank arrangement mounted on a substantial distance abovethe location of the nozzles in order to develop sufficient waterpressure. There was usually a drain opening at the low point of thebasin, which was connected with an outlet fitting of some type. Whilesome of these waste disposal units could operate satisfactorily, theyall had a number of distinct disadvantages. Inthe case of the open-traytype apparatus, only limited areas could be sprayed and there wasusually danger of splashing onto areas of the adjacent walls or floor,thus giving rise to unsanitary conditions after prolonged use. Inaddition, unless the drain of the unit was permanently connected with asewer pipe or the like, the sanitary disposal of the waste and rinsewater frequency presented distinct problems. Also, in some of thedevices heretofore proposed it has been difficult to accommodate largepets. Moreover, the training required of the pets, to teach them toproperly use these prior devices, has presented an obstacle which wasdifficult to overcome.

SUMMARY The above drawbacks and disadvantages of prior pet baths andwaste disposal devices are obviated by the present invention, which hasfor its main object the provision of a novel and improved portabledomestic appliance of the type indicated for pets, which is especiallysimple in its construction, easy and convenient to use, and whollyeffective in its operation. A related object of the invention is theprovision of an apparatus as above set forth which requires onlytemporary attachthem to existing bathroom facilities.

The above objects are accomplished by a novel combination of a normallywatertight enclosure or housing having a bottom wall provided with arecessed drain aperture, an electrically operated pump carried by thehousing and connected with the drain aperture, a retractable hoseconnected with the outlet of the pump and having a rigid hook portionextending outside the housing, the rigid portion comprising a spoutadapted to hook over and empty into an existing flush bowl, and a seriesof water jets carried inside the housing and communicating with another,retractable hose for temporary connection to a faucet. The housing isfurther provided with a series of doors to facilitate entry and exit bythe animal, and to permit observation of the animal by the owner. Theappliance can be used either as a pet washing apparatus or a pet wastedisposal apparatus. In use, the hook portion of the first hose ispositioned over the lip of the bowl, and the pump actuated. Water fromthe faucet can then be sprayed from the jets to accomplish a washing orrinsing operation of the pet or of the interior of the housing.Simultaneously, the pump removes water from the housing and disposes ofit into the bowl. In addition, the present invention provides a novelcontrol means comprising an electrically energized solenoid valve in thewater supply line connected to the faucet, which is wired in parallelwith the pump and thus operates to prevent water from entering thehousing until the pump is energized. This arrangement minimizes thelikelihood of a flood in the event that the apparatus is inadvertentlyleft unattended for a period of time.

Features of the invention reside in the provision of a novel reelingdevice for the inlet and discharge hoses, as well as for the electricsupply cord; and reside in the further provision of electric heatermeans for supplying drying air to the animal after the washingoperation. Also, the water discharge hose has incorporated a safety hookdevice to prevent it from inadvertently slipping off the toilet bowl. Inthe embodiment shown the cabinet has recesses for accommodating thereels for the hoses and cord, and has a finished exterior appearancewhereby it resembles an article of furniture.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawing, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the waste disposal apparatus ofthe present invention, shown ready for use wherein the outlet hose ispositioned over a flush bowl, and the inlet hose is connected to afaucet.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a left and elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a control means comprising a solenoidvalve connected in series with the water supply line to the housing, thevalve being normally closed when the pump is not energized.

Referring to the figures there is illustrated a novel domestic appliancefor a pet, designed generally by the numeral 10, said device beingadapted for use in a dwelling with the existing bathroom facilitiesthereof including a conventional flush bowl l2 and a water faucet 14having a spout portion 16. The apparatus comprises a housing 18 having awatertight, sloping bottom wall 20 and upright walls 22, 24, 26 and 28.The opposite walls 23 and 28 have openings 30, 32 which are providedwith resilient sealing gaskets 34 and 36 respectively. An entry door 38and an exit door 40 are also provided, these doors when closedconstituting a watertight seal of the openings 30, 32. The bottom floor20 of the housing is sloped downward toward a drain aperture 42 whichconstitutes the lowest part of the floor.

In accordance with the present invention there is pro vided anelectrically operated pump 44 carried by the housing, the pump having aninlet 46 and an outlet 48. The pump is energized through an electriccord 49 terminating in a plug 51. The pump inlet is connected with thedrain aperture 42 and receives liquid and solid material therefrom. Theoutlet is connected with a hose 50 which is brought to a reel 53 carriedin the front lower portion of the housing 10. From the reel 53 a hosesection 54 extends, terminating in a dripless spout portion or hookformation 56. As shown in FIG. I, the hose is adapted to extend over therim 58 of the bowl 12 so as to empty therein. The spout or gooseneckportion 56 of the hose 54 is preferably somewhat stiff andselfsupporting. The gooseneck or hook formation 56 has a retainershoulder 57 adapted to engage the inside of the bowl rim as shown inFIG. 1, so as to minimizethe possibility of the gooseneck 56inadvertently slipping off the bowl rim. The resilience of the gooseneck56 enables it to be spread apart slightly for its attachment to andremoval from the bowl rim.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are mounted inside of the housing 18 aseries of water jets or nozzles 60 carried on the opposite walls 22 and26. The jets are connected together by means of a pipe 62 whichcommunicate with a second hose 64 extending outside of the housing. Thehose 64 is provided with a resilient fitting 66 constituted of softplastic or rubber and adapted to releasably connect to the spout 16 ofthe faucet. Connected between the hose 64 and pipes 62 is a canister 68by which a detergent or a disinfectant can be introduced into the sprayenergizing from the jets, for the purpose of maintaining the housingodor-free and sanitary between uses.

The inlet hose 64 can be stored on a suitable reel 65 carried in theupper portion of the housing 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The reel 65can be constructed to surround the canister 68 and to be coupled to asolenoid valve now to be described.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, in accordance with the present inventionthere is provided a novel control means comprising a solenoid 80 andsolenoid valve 82 for regulating the flow of water into the housingthrough the inlet hose 64. The valve 82 is installed between the hose 64and a pipe 62 connecting the jets 60, and when unenergized is in theclosed position, wherein no water from the hose 64 can enter thehousing. In such case, when the fitting 66 is connected to the faucet l6and the latter turned on, the hose 64 will merely become pressurized,although in some cases the fitting 66 may be forced off the faucet. Ifthis occurs, however, there will obviously be no likelihood of a flood,or of overflow from the housing. Normally, upon energization of the pump44 by the user inserting the plug 51 into a suitable electricalreceptacle, the solenoid 80 will simultaneously become energized,opening the valve 82 and enabling water from the faucet to pass from thehose 64 to the pipes 62 so as to emerge from the jets 60., By thisarrangement, the valve 82 opens only during the operation of the pump44, thus insuring that the water entering the housing will be removedtherefrom by the pump by at least at an equivalent rate. As a result,there is never any overflow from the housing.

By the present invention, the bottom wall 20 includes a series of cleats70 disposed toward one end, which are intended to support a partition72. The partition operates to position the animal properly with respectto location of the drain aperture 42. Depending upon the size of thepet, the location of the partition 72 can be adjusted forwardly orrearwardly. Another series of cleats 71 is provided to retain anadjustable baffle 73 to serve as a barrier in order to shield the forelegs of the pet.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 18 is constructed to be open atthe top, and has a pair of folding doors 74, 76 which are fastened tothe upright walls 22 amd 26 respectively by hinges as shown. Extendingsubstantially completely across the open top is a grill 78 of metal barsor wire mesh. This feature of the apparatus enables the pet owner toobserve the pet inside the housing without the likelihood of the animaljumping out. Thus, one can readily determine when the animal hasfinished using the apparatus.

The bottom of the housing 18 can have four or more castors 78 to enablethe unit to be easily moved into the bathroom from a storage area andvice versa.

The unit is very simple to use. The housing is first positioned so thatthe spout 56 extends over the bowl rim 58 as shown in FIG. 1. With thepartition 72 positioned to accommodate the size of the pet, the latteris led into the housing through the door 38. With the doors 74, 76 open,the ownercan observe the animal through the grille 78. Following use,only the door 40 is opened. If necessary the partition 72 can be removedto enable the animal to exit (in the case of older or infirm pets). Alldoors are then closed, and the fitting 66 is attached to the faucet 16,after which the water is turned on, and the pump energized by insertingthe plug 51 into a suitable receptacle. Simultaneously, the valve 82 isactuated to its open position, causing a spray of water to emerge fromthe nozzles 60, thus cleaning the interior of the housing. Detergentfrom the canister 68 is automatically dispensed as the water flows intothe pipes 62, and to the jets 60. The rinse water and solids are thenpumped from the housing through the hose 50 and spout 56 into the bowl12. When sufficient pumping has occurred, the hose 66 can be removedfrom the faucet and the pump turned off, whereupon the unit is dried androlled away to a place of storage.

Further, as provided by the invention, the electric supply cord 49 iscarried by a reel 90, which is tumably mounted at the underside of thehousing as seen in FIG. 1. Thus, when the appliance is not in use thecord 49 can be conveniently stored out of sight.

The invention further provides means for electrically heating air andsupplying the same to the animal, such as might be desired after a washor shampoo. This means comprises a combination electric blower andheater 92 carried in the lower portion of the housing 10, below thebottom wall 20. Connected with the blower and heater 92 are ducts 94leading to risers 96 in the side walls of the housing, said risersterminating in hood 98 by which water is prevented from flowing into theheating ducts. The blower-heater can be conveniently energized by aseparate switch, not shown. To facilitate washing and shampooing ananimal, I provide a portable spray head 99, see FIG. 4, attached to ahose line 101 which can be connected to a three-way valve 103. By sucharrangement the fixed jets can be turned off by the valve 103 and thespray water instead directed to the portable spray head 99, which thencan be used on all different areas of the animal, sparing the face andeyes in most cases.

To enhance the external appearance of the appliance, the housing 10 canbe provided with a depending rectangular skirt 102 which will hide theswivel casters 78.

By the provision of the reels 53, 65 and 90, the water hose and supplycord can be tucked away within the walls of the housing 10, thereby toeffect a neat appearance.

From the foregoing it can be seen that I have provided a novel andimproved pet wash and waste disposal apparatus which is simple inconstruction and yet very effective in operation. It provides a simpleand feasible solution to a difficult problem, posed particularly to citydwellers. The units is portable and can be easily prepared for use in avery short period of time. No permancnt connections to existing plumbingfacilities are required. By the use of my improved apparatus the ownerof a pet can not only wash and shampoo the animal with a minimum ofeffort and inconvenience but can also provide waste disposal facilitiesby which the keeping of a pet is made more pleasurable and lessdifficult, particularly in congested city areas. The apparatus is thusseen to represent a distinct advance and improvement in this field.

Variations and modifications are possible without departing from thespirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A domestic appliance for use with pets, and in conjunction withexisting bathroom facilities including, a water faucet and a flush bowl,comprising in combination:

a. a housing having a watertight bottom wall and upright walls,

b. said bottom wall having a drain aperture and being sloped toward saidaperture,

c. said housing having means for positioning a pet with the hindquarters thereof over and adjacent the aperture,

d. an electrically operated pump having an inlet and an outlet said pumpbeing carried by said housing,

e. means connecting the inlet of said pump with said drain aperture toreceive liquid and solid matter therefrom,

f. hose means connected with the outlet of said pump for transferringsaid liquid and solid matter into the flush bowl, said hose meanscomprising a hook formation adapted to extend over the rim of the bowland captively retain the hose in engagement therewith during use of theappliance,

g. a water jet disposed inside said housing, and

h. means including a second hose connected with said jet for supplyingwater thereto under pressure from the faucet, whereby after use by thepet the interior of the chamber can be sprayed clean and the resultingmatter removed thereform and deposited into the bowl upon activation ofsaid pump.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

a. said upright wall has an opening, and

b. a door carried by said upright wall, constituting a watertightclosure of the opening, the latter enabling easy access to the interiorof the chamber by the pet.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

a. said housing is open at the top,

b. a grille carried by the upright wall and extending across the opentop, and

c. a top door carried on said upright wall and adapted to provide aclosure for said open top.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

a. said jet supplying means comprises a flexible hose connected at oneend with said jet and having at its other end a resilient adapterfitting for elastic connection to said faucet.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 4, and further including:

a. a canister for dispensing disinfeetent, detergent and the like,

b. said canister being carried by the housing and being connected withthehose carrying water to the jet.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 5, and further including:

a. additional jets disposed inside the housing, and b. means connectingsaid additional jets to said hose to receive water therefrom. 7. Theinvention as set forth in claim 1, and further 5 including:

a. an adjustable partition carried inside said housing for properlypositioning the pet therein, such that animals of widely varying sizescan be accommodated.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 1, and further including:

a. an adjustable baffle carried inside said housing,

' providing a barrier for shielding the fore legs of the pet.

9. The invention as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

a. said upright wall has an additional opening, opposite to the first,and

b. an additional door carried by said housing, said additional openingconstituting an exit door for the pet.

10. A domestic appliance as set forth in claim 1, and

further including:

a. a reel device carried in the upper portion of the housing, aboutwhich the second hose is wound to facilitate the storage thereof whennot in use.

11. A domestic appliance as set forth in claim 10, and

further including:

a. An additional reel device carried in the lower portion of thehousing, about which the said hose means is wound to facilitate itsstorage during periods of non-use.

12. A domestic appliance as set forth in claim 10, and

further including:

a. a second reel device disposed in the lower portion of the housing,and b. an electric supply cord adapted to be wound about a second reeldevice, c. said supply cord being connected to the electri- 40 callyoperated pump to energize the same.

a. an electric heater-blower unit carried in the lower portion of thehousing, and

b. means for connecting heated air from said heaterblower unit to upperportions of the housing, and

for directing said air toward the interior of the housing to dry ananimal disposed in the housing.

15. A domestic appliance as set forth in claim 14, wherein:

a. said means for conducting heated air comprises a pair of ductsdisposed in the lower portion of the housing and connected with saidheater-blower unit, and comprises risers connected with said ductsrespectively, and hoods attached to said risers,

b. said hoods minimizing the likelihood of entry of water to the risersand ducts. 16. A domestic appliance as set forth in claim 1, and

further including:

a. a portable spray device and valve means connecta. the hook formationcomprises a retainer shoulder ing said device to said second hose toprovide an adapted to engage the inside lip of the bowl rim to optionalspray for washing the animal. thereb hold said hose thereon. 17. Theinvention as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

1. A domestic appliance for use with pets, and in conjunction withexisting bathroom facilities including, a water faucet and a flush bowl,comprising in combination: a. a housing having a watertight bottom walland upright walls, b. said bottom wall having a drain aperture and beingsloped toward said aperture, c. said housing having means forpositioning a pet with the hind quarters thereof over and adjacent theaperture, d. an electrically operated pump having an inlet and an outletsaid pump being carried by said housing, e. means connecting the inletof said pump with said drain aperture to receive liquid and solid mattertherefrom, f. hose means connected with the outlet of said pump fortransferring said liquid and solid matter into the flush bowl, said hosemeans comprising a hook formation adapted to extend over the rim of thebowl and captively retain the hose in engagement therewith during use ofthe appliance, g. a water jet disposed inside said housing, and h. meansincluding a second hose connected with said jet for supplying waterthereto under pressure from the faucet, whereby after use by the pet theinterior of the chamber can be sprayed clean and the resulting matterremoved thereform and deposited into the bowl upon activation of saidpump.
 2. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. said uprightwall has an opening, and b. a door carried by said upright wall,constituting a watertight closure of the opening, the latter enablingeasy access to the interior of the chamber by the pet.
 3. The inventionas set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. said housing is open at the top, b.a grille carried by the upright wall and extending across the open top,and c. a top door carried on said upright wall and adapted to provide aclosure for said open top.
 4. The invention as set forth in claim 1,wherein: a. said jet supplying means comprises a flexible hose connectedat one end with said jet and having at its other end a resilient adapterfitting for elastic connection to said faucet.
 5. The invention as setforth in claim 4, and further including: a. a canister for dispensingdisinfectent, detergent and the like, b. said canister being carried bythe housing and being connected with the hose carrying water to the jet.6. The invention as set forth in claim 5, and further including: a.additional jets disposed inside the housing, and b. means connectingsaid additional jets to said hose to receive water therefrom.
 7. Theinvention as set forth in claim 1, and further including: a. anadjustable partition carried inside said housing for properlypositioning the pet therein, such that animals of widely varying sizescan be accommodated.
 8. The invention as set forth in claim 1, andfurther including: a. an adjustable baffle carried inside said housing,providing a barrier for shielding the fore legs of the pet.
 9. Theinvention as set forth in claim 2, wherein: a. said upright wall has anadditional opening, opposite to the first, and b. an additional doorcarried by said housing, said additional opening constituting an exitdoor for the pet.
 10. A domestic appliance as set forth in claim 1, andfurther including: a. a reel device carried in the upper portion of thehousing, about which the second hose is wound to facilitate the storagethereof when not in use.
 11. A domestic appliance as set forth in claim10, and further including: a. An additional reel device carried in thelower portion of the housing, about which the said hose means is woundto facilitate its storage during periods of non-use.
 12. A domesticappliance as set forth in claim 10, and further including: a. a secondreel device disposed in the lower portion of the housing, and b. anelectric supply cord adapted to be wound about a second reel device, c.said supply cord being connecteD to the electrically operated pump toenergize the same.
 13. A domestic appliance as set forth in claim 1, andfurther including: a. a plurality of casters carried at the bottom ofthe housing, and b. a depending skirt secured to the lower portion ofthe housing and concealing said casters when the housing is viewed fromthe exterior.
 14. A domestic appliance as set forth in claim 1, andfurther including: a. an electric heater-blower unit carried in thelower portion of the housing, and b. means for connecting heated airfrom said heater-blower unit to upper portions of the housing, and fordirecting said air toward the interior of the housing to dry an animaldisposed in the housing.
 15. A domestic appliance as set forth in claim14, wherein: a. said means for conducting heated air comprises a pair ofducts disposed in the lower portion of the housing and connected withsaid heater-blower unit, and comprises risers connected with said ductsrespectively, and hoods attached to said risers, b. said hoodsminimizing the likelihood of entry of water to the risers and ducts. 16.A domestic appliance as set forth in claim 1, and further including: a.a portable spray device and valve means connecting said device to saidsecond hose to provide an optional spray for washing the animal.
 17. Theinvention as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. the hook formationcomprises a retainer shoulder adapted to engage the inside lip of thebowl rim to thereb hold said hose thereon.